Note: <888> 06/30/02 Sunday 8:00 P.M.: My guest departed at 2 P.M.. I rested until 7:30 P.M.. I had some goldfish crackers and an iced coffee outside.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/30/02 Sunday 12:25 P.M.: I was up at 3 A.M.. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, supplements, and I had a coffee outside. I went back to bed about 6 A.M., and I slept until about 11:30 A.M. when a friend showed up. I just had low fat small curd cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and blueberries along with an iced coffee.  My guest brought down two cantaloupes and a quart of blueberries. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 8:35 P.M.:  My guest arrived while I was outside. We came upstairs and had ice tea. We went out for a drive. We stopped by Gateway Auto Parts looking for metric license plate bolts for my guest’s SAAB. We finally found them at Greenwich SAAB and attached his new license plates. We drove down by the waterfront.  We returned to my place and chatted. I chatted with a relative.  For dinner we had low fat small curd cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and blueberries and ice tea.  We then watched a DVD video disk. My guest just left. I will now head off to bed. I am a bit tired. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 2:05 P.M.: I discontinued charging the batteries in the charger. I will go outside briefly. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 12:45 P.M.: I finished vacuuming and house cleaning. I dumped out the paper and bathroom garbage that had accumulated. I am expecting a friend to come by and visit at 3 P.M.. I am listening to Radio 10 http://www.radio10.nl/live20.ram .  Well the old Dutch Boy has finished his house cleaning and other chores. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 11:55 A.M.: I went out after the last message. I stopped by the ATM machine at Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then drove over to Off Center Hair Stylists in Old Greenwich, and I had my hair cut for $16 plus $4 tip for $20 total. I then went out to Tod’s Point, and I walked around the entire Tod’s Point area about a 2.5 mile walk. I then drove back to central Greenwich. I stopped by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop. I next went by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street.  I then went downtown. I went to the central Greenwich Post Office, and I bought the new higher rate postage stamps 20 antique toy car stamps at .37 each for $7.40 total. I then went by the Merry Go Round Mews Thrift shop, and I browsed the store. They close in July and August, and they have a 50% off sale right now. I then went by the waterfront. I next went by Exxon, and I bought $11.35 of premium gasoline at $1.779 a gallon. I am getting about 14 miles per gallon. I then went by the Food Emporium, and I bought a rib eye steak with bone in at $3.99 a pound for $4.55, Hellmann’s mayonnaise 32 ounces for $1.99, and two Edy’s 48 ounces ice cream one Snickers and one Mars for $2.50 each for $11.54. I then returned home. I had a cold A&W root beer in a frosted mug. I sat outside having it. I then had three scoops of the Edy’s Mars ice cream. I will now vacuum my apartment and finish the house cleaning. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 6:45 A.M.: I finished making the ice tea. I also finished the house cleaning except for vacuuming which I will do later when I won’t disturb my neighbors. I changed the rechargeable batteries in the wireless headphones. I am charging up the used pair, and they need to come out of the charger at 2 P.M. after eight hours charging.  I will now clean up and go out for some morning air. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 4:35 A.M.: I had the Brazilian instant coffee outside. I occasionally get a rattling noise in my bedroom wall from some oddity in the wall. I usually fix it by pushing on the wall where the tern picture is. I thought it might be caused by the air purifier on the living room side of the wall. I checked the Honeywell Hepa air purifier, and I noticed it was off. I guess whenever the electricity goes off, it needs to be restarted. I started it up. I suppose it has been off a month or two, since the electricity has gone off several times in the last couple of months. I am not sure what causes the bedroom wall rattling. I started making up a batch of ice tea. I will now start my house cleaning. I will listen to some music while doing it wearing the wireless headphones with the apartment speakers turned off. CIO

Note: <888> 06/29/02 Saturday 3:10 A.M.: I rested a bit, and I watched some television. I guess I will now have some small curd low fat cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and blueberries along with ice tea and a Brazilian instant coffee.  After the meal, I will try to start my house cleaning. I feel a little lackadaisical, maybe the coffee with get me up to speed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/28/02 Friday 10:35 P.M.: I had the same salad for dinner at last night. I also had ice tea and a iced coffee outside. I watched some BBC British comedy on Channel 21 PBS. I guess I will take a short nap now. CIO

Note: <888> 06/28/02 Friday 8:35 P.M.: There is a little weather activity to the north of us still and NOAA weather radio went off again and we seem to be getting hit with some more rain right now. One can look at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/ . I just updated www.geocities.com/mikelscott/weather.htm. Well, I guess I will stay inside and avoid this storm. It seems to be more severe than predicted by the weather service.

End of Scott's Notes week 06/28/02:

Note: <888> 06/28/02 Friday 6:45 P.M.: This past morning, I was up until 4:30 A.M. watching a bit of television. I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I woke up at 3:30 P.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and supplements. I had coffee outside. I went back to sleep until 6 P.M.. I am up for the evening. I will now send out my weekly notes. CIO

Note: <888> 06/28/02 Friday 12:55 A.M.: I went out, and I drove downtown. I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue, and I sat out at various locations. I then walked lower Greenwich Avenue again. I then drove down by the waterfront.  The car is running a bit better with the adjustments I made this morning. I still think it might be the timing. I just now returned home. I guess I will now watch a bit of television before going to bed. I will now also have some low fat small curd cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and blueberries along with ice tea. CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 11:05 P.M.: I finished off the pint container of Edy’s raspberry sorbet. I will now go out for some fresh air. Remember when around this building in the evening hours to keep an eye out for the skunk. CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 10:40 P.M.: Where the British Royal Household Budget goes http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2002/06/28/nqueen28big.gif . CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 10:10 P.M.: You can use http://www.measure.demon.co.uk/Acoustics_Software/speed.html to determine the speed of sound in a hot weather rain storm. At about 350 meters per second, and about 1750 meters to a mile, it would take sound about five seconds to travel a mile give or take 25%, so if one saw lightning, every second from the thunder would be about a fifth of a mile, so if it took five seconds to hear the lightning, it would be about a mile away. Depending on the direction of wind, one could judge the arriving and departure of the lightning. I went out, and I checked the weather, and it is letting up a bit, just a lighter shower now. Just as I went out the front building door, I spotted a skunk about ten feet in front of the building entrance, but it did not spray. Thus we have another skunk for a neighbor this year. CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 9:30 P.M.: I was up at 1 P.M. this afternoon. I received a post card from Austria. Yesterday, I moved the NOAA weather warning radio from the hallway bookcase to on top of the backup computer in the living room, so its liquid crystal display is easier to view, and it is less noisy when sleeping in the bedroom.  This evening we have a lot more rain and electrical storm activity. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and supplements. I had iced coffee outside. I cleaned up, and I went by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then made my 3 P.M. appointment. I then went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop, and I bought for $2 the Reader’s Digest Great World Atlas published in the early 1950s.  It has some interesting maps. I have bought two other copies of this Atlas, and friends have barrowed it from me. I put it in the hallway bookcase on top of the family photo albums. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I returned a DVD video disk, and I read the local paper. I then returned home. I noticed that I had another wasp in my apartment. I was able to spray it a couple of times with Lysol, but it kept flying around for about an hour during which time I was unable to catch and do it in. I finally went out, and I went to the Stop and Shop, and I bought a 25% more of Hotshot wasp and hornet spray with a range of 20 feet for $3.99 and a 10 pack of S&S powdered milk for $5.49 plus .24 tax for $9.72 total. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I checked out two DVD video disks. I then returned home.  The wasp was no where to be seen. I sprayed the area around the curtains rods and the pull down shades were the wasp had been lingering earlier. The Hotshot container says not to use it inside, but I sprayed a small bit. I also sprayed the air intake duct on the air conditioner where the wasp possibly got in through. I have not seen the wasp again. I had dinner of the same green salad I had earlier in the week, plus I washed the red lettuce more thoroughly with the salad spinner, and I also added a bit of parmesan cheese. I had it with iced tea. I had an iced coffee outside.  The storm is a bit intense right now. I chatted with a friend.  I just finished making up another two quarts of coffee to chill for iced coffee.  I put the Hotshot wasp spray on top of the wall clock behind the entrance door, so it is high up.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 7:50 A.M.: I went outside, and I checked the Volvo fuel pump. It looks all right, and I figure since the car has enough power, it is all right. I checked the fuse box, and the fuses look all right. I smoothed out the engine idle by increasing the RPMs or increasing the idle speed, and I increased the air amount in the air fuel mixture. The car is running more smoothly at a slightly higher idle speed. I will now get some sleep until 1 P.M. when I have to get up for a 3 P.M. appointment. CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 6:50 A.M.: I tried to sleep. I had some goldfish crackers with ice tea. I got to thinking about the rough running on the Volvo, and I remembered that I made note on May 16, I hit a stick with the car. As I recall it was a larger stick and it made noise around the rear driver side wheel well. That is also where the fuel pump is located. Possibly the fuel pump malfunctioning could be the problem I am having with the car. When I have time, I will look at it. I replaced the fuel pump at about 50,000 miles shortly after I bought the car. I also replaced the fuel pump on a similar car owned by a friend. I should inspect the fuel pump wiring since when the car is wet it seems to run better. Possibly I dislodged the fuel pump wiring when I hit the stick. I also should check the fuse box. I first noted that I had heard the rattle for a couple of days on May 23.  A new external fuel pump would cost about $100. Well, I should try to get some sleep after going outside briefly.

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 3:20 A.M.: I finished sifting through my email. I guess I will go outside and view the night sky before going to bed. I will now shut down and relax and then go to bed. I have a 3 P.M. appointment today. CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 2:15 A.M.: For anyone who has not figured out how to make cantaloupe chucks, there is an easier way than a melon ball scooper. I first cut the cantaloupe in half lengthwise. I then scoop out the seeds from each half and put them in a large bowl. I then cut each half into lengthwise quarters and then eighths lengthwise. I then cut the rine off each eighth sections and then one cuts each skinless eighth in juicy sections of one’s preferred size. I store the chunks in a sealed Rubbermaid container in the refrigerator.  I put the rines in the bowl with the seeds and then dumps them into several small plastic grocery bags for disposal without dripping.  I finished going through www.geocities.com/mikelscott/scotwork.htm . CIO

Note: <888> 06/27/02 Thursday 1:25 A.M.: I went downtown, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I sat out at various locations. I then drove down by the waterfront. There is a rumor there is another Dutch trading post west of Greenwich at the end of Long Island sound about 25 miles away.  We might consider sending out an exploration party to see what they are doing for entertaining the summer visitors. Still we pride ourselves on running a quite town here, so even if something is happening we always say nothing is happening. When I returned home, I had a bowl of low fat small curd cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and blueberries and ice tea. I guess I will try to do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/26/02 Wednesday 11:50 P.M.: I had a cup of 50% Folgers’s instant decaffeinated coffee and 50% Brazilian instant coffee. I just finished putting away the laundry. I will now go out for a walk since it is not raining, but it is a bit damp and humid. CIO

Note: <888> 06/26/02 Wednesday 11:05 P.M.: I was up at 3 P.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. A friend called and came down to visit at about 5 P.M.. We sat out the electrical storm. We went out about 6 P.M., and we drove down by the waterfront. We stopped by Maneros butcher outlet, and we got a steak sandwich for $4.95 plus .30 tax for $5.25. We split it to eat in the parking lot. We then returned back to my place. We watched a DVD video disk. My guest left about 9:15 P.M.. I started my laundry which will be done in a half hour. When I do the laundry, I change the sheets on the bed. I had the same style roast beef sandwich with ice tea, potato chips, and a dill pickle slice. I peeled and diced and refrigerated the two cantaloupes. I cleaned a pint of blueberries. I straightened the slip cover on the long living room couch.  I am now on Step Two 14 mg. nicotine patches. CIO

Note: <888> 06/26/02 Wednesday 2:45 A.M.: I had some small curd low fat cottage cheese with blueberries and ice tea. I watched a television movie. I had goldfish crackers and ice tea while watching the movie. I guess I will now head off to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 11:35 P.M.: I went for a walk. I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue, and then I walked lower Greenwich Avenue again. I sat out at various locations. I then drove down by the waterfront. I next stopped by the ATM machine at Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by the Food Emporium to visit the cheerful night crew. They are open all night on week days. I bought two large Cantaloupes for $3 both, two pints of blueberries for $3 both, Pepperidge Farm 38 ounce box of goldfish crackers for $3.97, two quarts of America’s Choice low fat small curd cottage cheese for $3.50 each quart, a five pound package of AC sugar for $2.49, a container of Morton light salt $1.19 for $20.63 total, less $1.35 returned beverage cans for $19.28 total. I then returned home. I am having a glass of ice tea right now. CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 8:45 P.M.: I chatted with a few relatives and friends. I watched a bit of the financial news on television. I relaxed a bit more. I made up a batch of salad dressing. I took an 8 ounce salad dressing holder. I put in about ¼ teaspoon each of ground black pepper, garlic powder, celery salt, oregano, basil, and Italian spices. I added two tablespoons of Tameraire Dijon French mustard, and 1.5 ounces of Italian Medina balsamic vinegar, an 1.5 ounces of Rene junot white wine, a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and I shook it. I then added about six ounces of regular Bertolli olive oil, and I shook the salad dressing holder. I then made a salad. I have a lettuce spinner which I should have used that I now set out on top of the microwave oven. I washed the red lettuce once, when I should have washed it several times to get the sand out. I put about five torn leaves of red lettuce on a large dinner plate. I then diced two plum tomatoes and added them. I diced one fourth of a Vidalia onion and added it. I cut in half inch thin squares 1/3 of an 8 ounce bar of Land O Lake Monterey Jack cheese and added it to the salad along with a third of an 8 ounce jar of pitted stuffed olives which I diced. I added a dill pickle slice and I diced about a quarter of a red pepper which I added. I then added the salad dressing to the salad, and I had it for dinner with ice tea.  After dinner I went outside, and I had an iced coffee. I chatted with a friend. I guess I will now go out for a walk downtown. CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 3:35 P.M.: I was up at 2 P.M., and I went out, and I checked the idle air fuel mixture on the car. It seems to be all right.  The grounds crew are cutting down brush and tree limbs on the north side of the baseball field adjacent to the building. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and supplements. I had a coffee outside. I guess I will now clean up and do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 3:10 A.M.: I went out. I started to walk Greenwich Avenue, but it started to rain, so I took a short drive. Driving without traffic, the car still seems to be running a bit rough, more so than I have noticed recently. Well unless it is the emissions charcoal canister that needs replacing for the $150 cost of the canister at Stamford Volvo, there is not much that I can do about it. As mentioned before, if it is the timing, I would need Exxon to adjust it, since I do not have a timing light, and since when one loosens the distributor hold down bolt, it will not move anyway since the distributor seems frozen in place. Perhaps a mechanic with a loop chain or pipe wrench might be able to free it up to adjust the timing if that is the problem. Well for now it will remain the same. I noticed two raccoons in the front drive when I was just sitting out just now. I am a bit tired. I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I will now have some cottage cheese and blueberries with ice tea. Then I will relax a bit before going to bed. CIO 

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 2:10 A.M.:  An unusual event happened this evening after I had ended my walk. I was sitting out on the bench next to the veterans monument in front of where I had my white Volvo parked, and four teenagers whom had been making a lot of noise shouting at civilian passerbys on Greenwich Avenue approached the rear of my Volvo, and they had their hands on the rear and the trunk or in England the boot of my car. When I looked around and saw them lingering around my Volvo, I got up and approached the car a dozen feet away. As I approached the car, they took off running down Greenwich Avenue at full pace. I inspected the car at that point to see if any mischief had been performed, and it looked all right. I just checked the trunk lock, and it is all right too. Since I keep a Ship to Shore radio in the car with a two foot portable antenna in the rear car window for emergency communications around the waterfront to the Coast Guard Channel 16, perhaps the two foot antenna attached to the inside of the back window attacked their attention or perhaps they were just hiding out from other kids. Well, it is warm out, and I am bored, so I will go for a short drive and perhaps a walk to lose some weight. Basically despite the terrorists alerts in the news, being overweight for me is more of a threat to my health, so perhaps if I walk more I will lose some weight. I will keep a keen eye out for any Mountain Lions or Cougars lingering in the trees, and since it is a full moon, I should keep an eye out for any ware wolves or other nocturnal beings. I finished sifting through my email. CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 12:50 A.M.: Check your browser security http://browsercheck.qualys.com/ . CIO

Note: <888> 06/25/02 Tuesday 12:30 A.M.: I am doing a little bit of regular computer work. I noticed this story in the Electronic Telegraph from the U.K. that the U.S. press has not picked up on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2002/06/25/cndoll25.xml&sSheet=/portal/2002/06/25/ixport.html . I hope the U.S. government does not default. CIO

Note: <888> 06/24/02 Monday 10:25 P.M.: I went back out for a walk. I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue, and I sat out at various locations. I drove down by the waterfront. I returned home. I am having a glass of ice tea. CIO

Note: <888> 06/24/02 Monday 8:05 P.M.: This morning before going to bed, I had some small curd low fat cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and ice tea. I went to bed about 4 A.M., and I was up at 1 P.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, vitamins, supplements, and I had my coffee outside. I went out about 3 P.M.. I stopped by the library, and I returned two DVD video disks. I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop, but they were closed because their air conditioning system was broken. They are supposed to be opened tomorrow. I then made my 4 P.M. appointment. I next drove by the waterfront. I then went back by the library, and I read the Wall Street Journal newspaper and P.C. magazine. I then went by Stop and Shop, and I bought two S&S premium margarines for .67 each package, two half gallons of Florida Natural orange juice buy one get one free for $3.59 both, a quart of Hellmann’s mayonnaise for $3.59, six plum tomatoes at .99 a pound for $1.31, a Vidalia onion at .99 a pound .91, a Red Pepper at .99 a pound for .97, a head of Red leaf lettuce for .99, two Kaiser rolls at .45 each, two large bags of Wise ridges potato chips buy one get one free $2.99 both for $16.15 total. I then went to Val’s liquor store, and I bought a four ounce bottle of Angostura bitters for $4 total. I then returned home. I had a cold diet Coke in a frosted mug. I watched the ABC evening news. I had a roast beef sandwich on a Kaiser roll with Vidalia onion, red leaf lettuce, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, horseradish, salt, and pepper along with potato chips, dill pickle slice, ice tea, and I went outside to have an iced coffee.  I threw out four ears of old corn and two old moldy Kaiser rolls. I guess I will go out for an exercise walk now. CIO

Note: <888> 06/24/02 Monday 1:50 A.M.: I watched a bit of television. I went outside briefly. I will now shut down for the night and go to bed early if I can fall asleep. CIO

Note: <888> 06/24/02 Monday 12:05 A.M.: I watched a DVD video. CIO

Note: <888> 06/23/02 Sunday 8:45 P.M.: I went to bed about 4 A.M. last night after having some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I was up at 1 P.M. when a relative called. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and supplements and iced coffee outside. I rested some more until about 4 P.M.. I had a roast beef sandwich on a Kaiser roll with horseradish, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, Vidalia onion, salt and pepper, ice tea, and then I had an iced coffee outside.  I cleaned up, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue, and I sat out at various locations. I stopped by CVS, and I bought a liter of CVS yellow mouthwash for $1.99 plus .12 tax for $2.11 total. I drove down by the waterfront. I sat out at the library. I then stopped by Exxon, and I bought buy three get two free of Marlboro Lights 100s for $16.50 all. I then returned home. I had a chilled Citra soda in a frosted mug. CIO

Note: <888> 06/23/02 Sunday 12:45 A.M.: I downloaded and followed the instructions from Symantec to run W32.Klez.gen@mm and W32.ElKern.gen removal tool on my computer. Neither of the viruses or their variants are on my computer. I do however have someone regularly trying to email them to me which my Norton AntiVirus 2002 program catches. I also ran the Office Updates on my computer updating Word 2002.  I guess I will shut down not and watch some television before going to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/22/02 Saturday 11:05 P.M.: I made up two quarts of iced coffee which I put in the refrigerator.  I had friend call who came down to visit at 5:30 P.M.. We chatted. We had dinner of low fat small curd cottage cheese with blueberries and cantaloupe and ice tea. We watched a television movie.  A relative called and we chatted.  My guest just left. CIO

Note: <888> 06/22/02 Saturday 4:40 P.M.: I went to bed at midnight, and I was up about 11 A.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I had my coffee outside. I then fell asleep until about 3:30 P.M.. I just had a roast beef sandwich on a Kaiser roll with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, horseradish, salt, pepper, and slices of Vidalia onion along with ice tea. I had my Brazilian instant coffee outside. It is a bit hot out. It is 89 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in the apartment with the General Electric 15,000 BTU air conditioner with remote control going it is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. I have a friend coming down, so I will put off house cleaning.  I guess I also should brew up a large pot of coffee for iced coffee. CIO

Note: <888> 06/21/02 Friday 8:55 P.M.: I went out, and I drove along the waterfront over to Old Greenwich. I stopped by the Old Greenwich Second Congregational Church Rummage Room, and I bought an extra large salmon colored GAP polo shirt for $3 and an extra large long sleeve cotton twill Lord and Taylor purple and blue and other colors plaid shirt for $6 for $9 total. I then drove out to Tod’s Point. I walked the 2 ½ mile walk around Tod’s Point. I then sat out for a while at the southeast concession area. I then drove back to central downtown Greenwich, and I sat out for a while. I then drove down by the waterfront. I next stopped by the Greenwich Library, and I read the local paper, and I checked out a DVD video disk. I then went by Exxon, and I bought $12.30 of premium gasoline at $1.779 a gallon. I had 78 miles on the trip odometer and I put in close to 7 gallons, so I am now only getting 11 miles per gallon as usual puttering around town in slow stop and go traffic. I then went by the Stop and Shop, and I bought S&S sliced roast beef at $5.99 a pound for $6.32, a package of S&S margarine for .67, and two Kaiser rolls for .67 both for $7.66 total. I then returned home. I had low fat small curd cottage cheese with blueberries and cantaloupe along with a glass of ice tea. I guess I will now watch some television and shut down the computer. CIO

End of Scott's Notes week 06/21/02:

Note: <888> 06/21/02 Friday 2:25 P.M.: I went to bed last night about midnight. I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea before going to bed. I was up at 8 A.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went out to the Greenwich Hospital Dental clinic for my 10 P.M. appointment. The dentist said I need a #14 DOL filling, #13 MO filling, and a #30 MOBL possible filling with a crown in the future. The clinic is booked up through the first of the year, so unless I can get it done in private practice which would be expensive, I will have to wait until after the first of the year. The dentist recommended having it done sooner. I then went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop. I next went by the Merry Go Round Mews thrift shop. They have a $10 a bag of clothing sale going on.  They gave me a tan canvas 20”X15”X6” zipper bag which normally would have been $5. I then drove down by the waterfront. I chatted with a resident. I drove the resident over to Grass Island to get an anchor out of his boat, and then I returned him to his house. I then returned home. I was sitting in my apartment, and I noticed a wasp in my apartment climbing on the Victorian lamp shade. I doused it with Lysol to immobilize it, and I then I flushed it down the toilet. I had the same style roast beef sandwich for lunch with a dill pickle slice and ice tea. I then sat outside, and I had a Brazilian instant coffee. It is a bit warm out, so I guess I will stay inside this afternoon. I will now send out my weekly notes. CIO

Note: <888> 06/20/02 Thursday 8:25 P.M.: I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea last night before going to bed. I was up at 10 A.M. this morning. I was told by a neighbor the fire alarm went off at 3 A.M., but since I was asleep, I did not hear it. I can not hear the fire alarm bell in my bedroom when I am asleep. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I sat outside a bit in the day time. I cleaned up, and I went out about 2 P.M.. I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop. I bought a gilt framed print of dogs playing poker called “A Friend in Need” for $5. I then made my 3 P.M. appointment. I next went downtown, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I stopped by CVS, and I bought a bag of Starburst jelly beans 14 oz. for $2.19 and a bag of Lifesaver jelly beans 14 ounce for $2.19 plus .26 tax for $4.64 total. I then drove down by the waterfront. I chatted with a local resident. I gave the resident my silver Coleman electronic mosquito repeller. I have a blue and a green one in the apartment. I will put the blue one back in the Volvo. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I returned a DVD video disk, and I checked out one.  I returned home. I had a cold Citra soda in a frosted mug. I hung the dog print on the wall to the right of the toilet. I mixed both bags of jelly beans together, and I put them in a bowl in another bowl on the dining room table.  For dinner, I had the same style roast beef sandwich with a dill pickle slice along with ice tea. I also had a dish of Edy’s fruit raspberry sorbet. After dinner I had a 50% - 50% Folgers decaffeinated instant coffee and Brazilian instant coffee which I drank outside. I have a 10 A.M. appointment tomorrow, so I will go to bed about midnight tonight. I will now watch a bit of television and maybe a DVD video disk. CIO

Note: <888> 06/20/02 Thursday 12:05 A.M.: I watched a DVD video disk. I guess I will shut down for the night and relax a bit before going to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/19/02 Wednesday 9:10 P.M.: I went out, and I forgot to wear my nicotine patch. I went down by the waterfront and parking down at the end of the road was filled up, so I parked by Greenwich Capital, and I walked over to the waterfront there.  There was a boat at the Delamar Hotel stopping for sandwiches at Maneros. I walked down to the end of the road. I chatted with a local resident. I walked down to the end of the road. I returned to my car. I went to the Greenwich Library, and I read the Wall Street Journal and the Greenwich Times. I went by the Stop and Shop, and I bought two pints of New Jersey blueberries at $1.50 a pint for $3 total. I returned home, and I put the nicotine patch on. CIO

Note: <888> 06/19/02 Wednesday 6:05 P.M.: I went outside a couple of times. I chatted with a relative’s relative. I found out at www.expedia.com that the new Delamar Five Star Hotel is opening on Steamboat Road on September 16, 2002 for $355 to $385 a night.  To verify that information, check the dates at expedia.com for September 16 to September 17 for the Delamar Hotel. I guess I will now have the same roast beef sandwich with potato chips and ice tea. Maybe I will clean up and go out for a while. CIO

Note: <888> 06/19/02 Wednesday 4:15 P.M.: I have a bit of intestinal turmoil. I hope the cottage cheese I got is fresh. I went through my email. I received this link for a New York Times summer reading list Books for Summer Reading . CIO

Note: <888> 06/19/02 Wednesday 3:10 P.M.: I rested until 1:30 P.M.. I went outside briefly. I had low fat small curd cottage cheese with cantaloupe chunks and ice tea. I then had a cappuccino outside. I found a Silver Shield baseball cap on the bench in the backyard, so I put it in the back seat of my Volvo. My groin hernia has been causing a bit of discomfort, so I have been less active and resting more recently.  I guess I will do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/19/02 Wednesday 11:10 A.M.: I rested last evening until about 9 A.M. this morning. I went outside this morning. I then had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went outside and had my coffee. I tested my new Columbia 2.4 gigahertz telephone, and it works around the front of the building. It does not work inside downstairs or in back of the building. The NOAA weather radio alarm system test just went off. The weather seems nice and clear today, but this time of year in the late afternoon or early evening we can occasionally get an afternoon shower.  Well, I guess I will clean up and try to pursue some daytime activity. The NOAA weather radio just said there is a 30% chance of showers this afternoon. CIO

Note: <888> 06/18/02 Tuesday 10:00 P.M.: I went out, and I stopped by CVS, and I bought two rolls of CVS 5 yards by one inch adhesive medical tape for $2.39 each roll plus .29 tax for $5.07 total. I then drove down by the waterfront. I then walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I stopped by Zyn stationary, and I bought a scratch card for $1 #29, but I lost. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I read the Wall Street Journal and the Greenwich Times. I then went by Stop and Shop, and I bought four pint containers of low fat small curd cottage cheese for $1.50 a pint for $6 total. I then went by the Food Emporium, and I bought a 38 ounce box of Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers for $5.29. I then returned home. I chatted with a couple of friends. CIO

Note: <888> 06/18/02 Tuesday 5:25 P.M.: Another event happened in 1640 when the Dutch arrived in New Amsterdam; they also started the New Amsterdam Night Watch.  Today it is more of an honorary society since not much of New Amsterdam is made of wood buildings anymore. Still having been on a night schedule for the better part of 37 years, it seems I am back on a late schedule today. I went to bed about 4 A.M. after watching a show on the history channel about private jets. I was up at 10 A.M., and I went outside briefly. I then had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, cantaloupe chunks, vitamins, and supplements. After breakfast I fell back to sleep until about 4:30 P.M.. I went outside briefly. I just had a roast beef sandwich on a Kaiser roll with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, horseradish, Vidalia onion slices, salt, and pepper. I had the sandwich with Lays barbeque potato chips and dill pickle slice along with ice tea. I had a Brazilian instant coffee outside. Well, I guess I will clean up and go out shortly.  Although I use tape to tape on my nicotine patches, they keep falling off while I am asleep. I think the CVS nicotine patches do not have enough adhesive on them. Perhaps I should try the more expensive regular brand of nicotine patches, I think called Nicoderm.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/18/02 Tuesday 12:35 A.M.: I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I relaxed a bit. I am a bit tired of focusing on the computer, so I will shut down for the night. CIO

Note: <888> 06/17/02 Monday 11:45 P.M.: I chatted with a friend. I sat outside briefly. I noticed in the news recently that NOAA reports that El Nino has been developing off the coast of Peru recently, and the ocean temperature off the coast of Peru is 6 degrees warmer, which does not mean that Kevin Bacon is in Peru, but that El Nino might change the current hurricane season forecast and make it less intense than predicted. About five years ago when we had El Nino, there was flooding on the west coast of the United States, and we had drought on the East Coast and there was a lesser hurricane season. I am not sure what the future long term weather forecasts might be, but it seems about the regular weather pattern here to me for this time of year.  There is not much else happening as far as I know. I guess with arthritis, I would prefer drier weather, but many of the local gardeners probably prefer damper weather. CIO

Note: <888> 06/17/02 Monday 9:30 P.M.: I went out. I drove downtown, and I stopped by the waterfront. I checked out the weather and chatted with some locals. I then went downtown, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I then stopped by the Greenwich Library. I read Arthritis Today magazine, and I used the library terminal to email myself these links to myself http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm , www.ava.org, www.arthritis.org, www.jointsinmotion.org , www.RAacademy.com . I then went by the Stop and Shop, and I bought six Kaiser rolls for $2.29, a dozen large eggs $1.69, 2 Vidalia onions at .99 a pound for $1.42, Gold’s Horseradish $1.50, Boar’s Head sliced roast beef at $8.49 a pound for $7.90, and four ears of sweet corn for .40 a ear for $1.60 for $16.40 total. I believe the same year the Dutch first arrived in New Amsterdam. I meant to buy the store brand of sliced roast beef for $5.99 a pound, but the deli clerk accidentally sliced the Boar’s Head roast beef, and it looked so good I bought it. I also noticed that blue berries which they were out of are $1.50 a pint as well as strawberries which they had, and cottage cheese is two pints for $3, so I will have to get some later in the week. I then returned home. I had the same dinner as last night with two ears of corn on the cob. The last three nights when I had the pork tenderloin, I also cooked a half of Vidalia onion with the pork. I sat outside to have my Brazilian instant coffee. I noticed the Brazilian instant coffee that I got at Odd Job this past winter has sort of a licorice taste to it which is quite good. The last time I was at Odd Job when I went to the Vitamin Shoppe for the Coral Calcium, I noticed they had some gourmet coffees on sale. Well I guess I will try to do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/17/02 Monday 3:55 P.M.: I sat outside briefly. I took the two long stretch beach chairs out of the back seat of the Volvo, and I put them in the trunk. I took out the other three low short sit up beach chairs, and I put them in the bedroom false ceiling. I now have the entire back seat of the Volvo opened up and free for passengers.  However, the trunk is pretty much full.  I guess I might as well clean up and go out to see what is happening in the rest of the world, but I have to refrigerate the ice tea before I leave.  The Volvo was running just fine yesterday, so hopefully I am done with all the maintenance for the season. I only drive about 5,000 miles a year, so since my Volvo could easily go 250,000 miles from its present 117,800 miles, I might have the Volvo until the year 2025. Of course sitting outside all the time year round, it is subject to the weather and elements of the area. CIO

Note: <888> 06/17/02 Monday 3:20 P.M.: I was up at 8:30 A.M. this morning. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. After going outside briefly, I went back to bed until about 1 P.M.. When I woke up, I had low fat small curd cottage cheese, with cantaloupe chunks, and blueberries along with ice tea. I also had a Brazilian instant coffee outside.  As it starts to get warm, I will quickly summarize what I learned about air conditioners a year or two years ago. I bought the General Electric Profile 15,000 BTU remote control air conditioner from Partridge and Rockwell in Greenwich for $589. I noticed that the Wiz also sells a similar 15,000 BTU with remote control Panasonic model for $450. I also noticed that Home Depot sells a generic Hampton 15,000 BTU air conditioner without the remote control feature for $350.  Well, I was thinking about going to Tod’s Point this morning, but I decided I better avoid the sun, since in the last few years; I have not been getting too much sun. It is an enjoyable 3 mile walk around Tod’s Point, but it costs me about $4 to drive over there.  Living in Byram, where I do, I can walk downtown to Greenwich Avenue and back which is also about a three mile walk on a noisy U.S. 1. However, one can view all the new cars, and there are generally places to rest and go to the bathroom such as Wendy’s, McDonald’s, the Greenwich Library, Exxon, the Greenwich Hospital, Starbucks, the Senior Center, the Greenwich Train Station, or whatever catches one’s eye along the way.  For the physical fitness enthusiasts we have a quite a steep long set of stone stairs in our back yard that one could hike up and down. I have heard the usual air traffic recently. I suppose if one did not have a car or one did not want to pay to park at the airport, one could take the local Westchester County Bus from where it stops by Cumberland Farms, and ride it through Port Chester, and up King Street to the Westchester County airport and view that air traffic. Of course, one would have to make sure they get on the right bus, or they might end up in White Plains or one of the boroughs of New York. Well, there is not much happening here, so I am making up a batch of ice tea www.geocities.com/mikelscott/icetea.htm to enjoy for the rest of the week. CIO

Note: <888> 06/16/02 Sunday 9:30 P.M.: My guest, and I chatted. We had the same dinner as last night. We watched a DVD video disk movie. My guest just left. I will go outside for a moment, and then I guess I will head off to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/16/02 Sunday 5:50 P.M.: I cleaned up, and a friend arrived to visit. We went by Smokes for Less, and I bought four packs of Seneca Ultra Lights 100s for $2.75 a pack for $11 total. We drove downtown, and we walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue.  I noticed they have taken the renovation construction scaffolding down from around the Senior and Arts center. It looks quite nice now that it is completed. We then sat out by the waterfront for a while. We returned to my place just before a down pour of rain. CIO

Note: <888> 06/16/02 Sunday 1:25 P.M.: I received a telephone call from a relative. I went outside, and I checked out the car. It seems to be running fine. I did notice that when running rough when starting up cold that the engine fan seems to come close to one of the fan shield and makes a slight scraping sound, so I pulled it out a bit. I checked the three vacuum hoses on the carbon canister container, and only one seems to have a vacuum on it. Since the car seems to be basically running fine, at the moment, I do not feel like putting any more money into it, so I guess I will just leave it as is. I came back upstairs. I cleaned and diced the two cantaloupes and put the pieces in a Rubbermaid container in the refrigerator.  For lunch, I had low fat small curd cottage cheese with blueberries and cantaloupe chunks along with ice tea, and I will now have a Brazilian instant coffee.  Since it is a nice day, I guess I will next clean up and go out for some fresh air.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/16/02 Sunday 11:55 A.M.: I was up at 8:30 A.M. this morning. I went outside briefly. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, cantaloupe, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I watched a bit of television. I then rested a bit. I went back outside again briefly. CIO

Note: <888> 06/16/02 Sunday 2:15 A.M.: After dinner, I relaxed a bit. From about 10 P.M., I watched television including until now a series of programs on the Travel channel about volcanoes. I am tired, so I will go to bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/15/02 Saturday 5:45 P.M.: I finished house cleaning and watering the plants. I sat outside briefly. I watched a bit of television. I cut one of the two Hatfield pork tenderloins in half, and I put a little olive oil in a Pyrex pie dish and rubbed the tenderloin in it. I seasoned it with garlic powder, ground black pepper, and celery salt. I am cooking it in the convection oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. I will have it with steamed corn on the cob and fresh broccoli, ice tea, and a cappuccino. CIO

Note: <888> 06/15/02 Saturday 2:25 P.M.: I was up at 8:30 A.M. this morning when a friend called. I went outside briefly. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went back to sleep until 1 P.M.. I went outside briefly. I had lunch of the same roast beef sandwich I have been eating earlier in the week along with potato chips and dill pickle slice and ice tea and an instant coffee. I sat outside briefly. I will now do my weekly house cleaning. CIO

Note: <888> 06/14/02 Friday 9:15 P.M.: I watched channel 21’s program on Dr. Perricone’s http://www.drperricone.com/  from Yale University lecturing on dermatology. I watched two of the three segments. I am tired, and I will go to bed now. CIO

Note: <888> 06/14/02 Friday 7:45 P.M.: I watched the ABC evening news and the BBC evening news.  For dinner I had a bowl of low fat small curd cottage cheese with blue berries and cantaloupe chunks along with ice tea. I guess I will watch the BBC comedy shows on Channel 21 PBS this evening. CIO

Note: <888> 06/14/02 Friday 6:25 P.M.: I cleaned up, and I went out about 2 P.M.. I mail the Columbia cordless telephone $20 rebate at the Valley Road post office. I went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop. I bought a pleated 10” lamp shade for .50 and a pair of 72” boot laces for .25 for .75 total. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I read the first couple of pages of a U.S. News and World Report article about the U.S.A. Secret Service, but I got a nicotine fit, since I had forgot to wear my nicotine patch. I drove down by the waterfront for a break. I then went to Porricelli’s Greenwich Food Mart in Cos Cob, and I bought a Hatfield whole pork tenderloin at $3.99 a pound for $7.24, two 96 ounce containers of Tropicana orange juice with calcium for $2.50 each, two Del Monte cantaloupe for .99 each, a Tony’s Supreme pastry pizza for $2.50, four ears of corn for .20 each for .80, a head of broccoli for .89 for $18.43 total. I then returned home. I put away my groceries. I put on the patch. I had some ice tea. I put the new 10 inch pleated lamp shade on the small lamp between the two computers. I put the lamp shade from that lamp on top of the orange colored glass globe on the brass lamp on the Danish bar to prevent glare. I chatted with a relative on the Columbia cordless telephone with the headset, and the reception was just fine.  Whether lifting groceries, my car tool box, or laundry has caused my groin hernia to return. I guess it tends to fall down and pull back up into my intestinal cavity. I am a bit arthritic with all the damp weather. CIO

End of Scott's Notes week 06/14/02:

Note: <888> 06/14/02 Friday 12:20 P.M.: I woke up during the night, and I had goldfish crackers and ice tea. I finally woke up this morning about 8 A.M.. I watched the David Bowie performance on the NBC morning show. I went outside briefly. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I just finished my laundry. I programmed my Columbia 2.4 gigahertz cordless telephone with the Directory Speed Dial numbers. I tested it calling up a relative, and it sounds just fine. I put the base plate on the base unit, so it stands more upright. I filled out the $20 rebate information for the Columbia cordless telephone. I will send out my weekly notes shortly. I will then have the same type of roast beef sandwich as before along with barbeque potato chips, dill pickle slice, cantaloupe chunks, ice tea, and a cappuccino. I will then clean up and go out. It is suppose to rain through out the weekend. CIO

Note: <888> 06/13/02 Thursday 9:35 P.M.: Before going out for my 3 P.M. appointment, I installed the Columbia 2.4 gigahertz telephone on the Danish bar next to the AT&T answering machine. I also took the AT&T regular speaker phone from the bedroom desk, and I put it next to the Columbia cordless telephone. I put the General Electric cordless telephone on the bedroom desk. I then went out to my 3 P.M. appointment. After my 3 P.M. appointment, I went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop. I then drove down by the waterfront, and I adjusted my idle fuel mixture with the car warmed up. I then went by Exxon, and I bought $12 of premium gasoline at $1.779 a gallon. I then returned home. I put another ½ inch hose clamp on another hose running over the valve cover to the air intake chamber, and I cleaned its inline valve with carburetor cleaner. I readjusted the idle downwards, and I adjust the air fuel mixture again. I loosened the distributor timing nut, but it has been so long since the distributor has been moved it seems to frozen in position. I tried to spraying WD40 on the swivel housing to no effect. I had a new timing belt put in about four years ago, but from the way it looks, they could not have possibly moved the distributor to readjust the timing. I did clean the interior contacts of the new distributor cap and new rotor with fine metal sandpaper. I got about 14 miles per gallon when I filled up. If one of the cylinders or spark plugs were not firing properly, I would think I would get fewer miles per gallon.  Anyway the Volvo is running pretty much the same it has for the last six weeks since I first got the rumbling sound. Still when one is driving and accelerating it runs fine. It is just at idle it makes the noise. I then chatted with a neighbor who waiting for a ride.  About 7 A.M., I gave the neighbor a ride over to Port Chester, New York to get groceries at Pathmark. The neighbor gave me $5 for the trip.  We then returned back to my building around 8 P.M.. I checked the range on the Columbia 2.4 gigahertz cordless telephone. It does not play in back of the building out by the baseball field, but it does play down in front of the building by the entrance below my windows.  The Columbia cordless telephone also came with a headset that works with it and also with my other cordless telephones. I left the head set near the Columbia telephone. I had the same roast beef sandwich for dinner with barbeque potato chips and a dill pickle slice and chunks of cantaloupe and ice tea. I went outside again briefly. I am a bit tired, so I will go to bed shortly. CIO

Note: <888> 06/13/02 Thursday 2:15 P.M.: I went out, and I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then drove over to Stamford Volvo, and I picked up the S hose that I had ordered. They told me if I wanted to buy the emissions charcoal canister it would be $150. I then drove by International Car Parts, and they did not have a Bosch ignition coil for the Volvo, but they could order it in a day for $40. I then went by Autozone, and they did not have the ignition coil either. I drove up to Norwalk on a test drive, and the car basically was running normally. I stopped by Gateway Computers. I then went by the other International Car Parts store, and they did not have an ignition coil either. I went by an auto parts store near Stew Leonard’s. I then went by CompUSA, and I bought the Columbia 2.4 gigahertz cordless telephone for $39.99 plus $4.99 for a year’s replacement warranty plus $2.70 tax for $47.68.  The Columbia 2.4 gigahertz cordless telephone also has a $20 mailin rebate, so it basically $20 plus the $5 years warranty from CompUSA. I then drove back to Greenwich. I went back by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by Gateway Auto Supply, and they did not have the ignition coil. They told me that an ignition coil works or it does not, so it would not improve the car’s performance to replace it. I was just thinking of doing some preventive maintenance. I bought 4 one inch hose clamps for .60 each for $2.40 total. I went by the auto supply store across from McDonalds on the Post Road, and they did not have the ignition coil either. I then returned home. I was checking out the charcoal emissions canister, and I noticed a short four inch connecting vacuum hose to it had a crack in it. I replaced that one quarter inch hose, and the car seemed to be running smoother. I locked the keys by mistake in the car, so I went upstairs to get my backup keys. I then took the car for a test drive over to the Arnold Bread store. It seemed to be running much better with the charcoal canister emissions vacuum hose replaced. I bought two loaves of Arnold Branola 12 grain bread for $1.78 both. I then returned home, and I installed the S hose from the valve cover chamber attachment to underneath the air manifold. I also put two one inch hose clamps on it. I adjusted the air fuel mixture idle giving the car more air. The Volvo seems to running much more smoothly. I will still have to see what it is like in regular driving and when it is cold. I will now connect the Columbia 2.4 gigahertz telephone. I have a 3 P.M. appointment. I am also having some ice tea. CIO

Note: <888> 06/13/02 Thursday 8:40 A.M.: I had a meal of a Swanson’s Hungryman Veal Parmesan dinner with ice tea and a Brazilian instant coffee that I drank outside. I will now clean up and go out. CIO

Note: <888> 06/13/02 Thursday 6:45 A.M.: Well, I guess I was tired. I slept through until about 2:30 A.M.. I had three crank fax type phone calls. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went outside a couple of time, and I watched some television. I fell back asleep until just now. CIO

Note: <888> 06/12/02 Wednesday 12:25 P.M.: I peeled and diced two large cantaloupes, and I put the pieces in a large Rubbermaid container in the refrigerator. I sat outside briefly, and I threw away the cantaloupe remains. I watched a bit of television. I had the same roast beef sandwich as yesterday with a dill pickle slice and a dish of cantaloupe and ice tea. Like they do in some parts of Europe, I will now take my afternoon nap. CIO

Note: <888> 06/12/02 Wednesday 10:20 A.M.: I went out, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I stopped by the Bagel shop, and I bought a bagel and butter for $1.17, and I ate it in front of the senior center. I then drove down by the waterfront. The car is running fine. I went by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I read the local paper and the Wall Street Journal. I then returned home. I just had a cold Citra soda in a frosted mug. It is a bit warm out for me, so I will be staying inside by the air conditioner today. CIO

Note: <888> 06/12/02 Wednesday 7:40 A.M.: I did my regular computer work. I looked at my Chilton Volvo manual. I went outside, and I worked on the car. I can not adjust the fuel pump mixture since I do not have the right tool although I know where the little hole is. I also need to replace the charcoal emissions canister which is suppose to be replaced every 45,000 miles.  When I go over to Volvo, I will see if they have it. I took off the rubber air manifold intake, and I cleaned the air intake plate with carburetor emissions cleaner. I increased the idle speed, and I adjusted the air fuel mixture to be a little bit more air and less fuel. The car seems to running fine at idle and cool, so I will go out now and test it.  When I was showering and cleaning up, I noticed that my groin hernia has disappeared, and I guess it has retracted back into my intestines. All I can figure out is the walking helped it, or bending up and down while working on the car, or I have not been eating so much rice recently or quiting smoking made me more vigorous and it fixed itself. Still, I hope it stays in place and does not fall back down again. Threre is probably still a tear in the intestinal wall, or possibly with the additional weight I have put on, there is not as much room in my belly cavity. Still I need to lose some weight.  I will now go out for a walk. CIO

Note: <888> 06/12/02 Wednesday 3:55 A.M.: About 3 A.M. the central building fire alarm system went off. I checked the system, and nats or small bugs or insects were attracted by the center back stairway light, and they got into the smoke detector and set it off. I reset the central building fire alarm system, and I call “911”, and I told them it was probably a false alarm. The same thing happened two days ago. Four fire trucks arrived, and they told me I should not reset the fire alarm system which I did not know.  They checked the smoke detector on the back stair way, and they closed the window whose screen lets the small bugs in. I later turned off the center back stairway light, so as not to attract more insects. Three fire trucks left, and one stayed behind with a supervisor. They are waiting for a key holder for the alarm company to come, so they can lock the central alarm system boxes. I frequently can not hear the alarms in my apartment when I am asleep, since my bedroom is away from the alarm box. However, I was sleeping lightly, so I heard the alarm.  About 20% of the residents responded to the alarm. The rest remained asleep in their apartments. Well, I will now have breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I guess I am on an earlier schedule. CIO

Note: <888> 06/11/02 Tuesday 7:35 P.M.: I watched some television including the ABC evening news. I now will head off to bed. CIO 

Note: <888> 06/11/02 Tuesday 5:40 P.M.:  I just had a cold roast beef sandwich made with a Kaiser roll, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, horseradish, Vidalia onion, salt, and pepper along with a dill pickle slice and barbeque potato chips and ice tea. I will now go outside for a short spell. CIO

Note: <888> 06/11/02 Tuesday 4:15 P.M.:  I went back out at noon. I drove down by the waterfront. I then drove over to Old Greenwich going from exit 4 to exit 5 on the turnpike. The car is running much better, but it still has a slight rumble at very lower speed. Still what I did this morning seemed to have improved it. I think it is fine for regular driving, and unless something develops, I do not plan to do anymore on it beside put in the S hose. I stopped by the Old Greenwich Rummage Room Thrift shop, and I bought two Billy Baldwin or Cole Porter white pleated butler lamp shades for $5 apiece plus .60 tax for $10.60 total. I use the ATM machine at First Union across the street from the Old Greenwich Rummage Room which cost me a $1.  I then went out to Tod’s Point. I walked the entire 2.5 mile walk around Tod’s Point from the south concession area and around the shore and back down the access road.  It was a little bit cooler out at Tod’s Point. I did a brisk walk hoping to lose a bit of weight. I then stopped by Staples in Old Greenwich. I next went to Greenwich Avenue, and I stopped by CVS, and I bought a Glade oil scent Meadow Breeze refill for $2.99 plus .18 for $3.17. I then went by Stop and Shop, and I bought a 12 pack of Citra soda cans for $3.34 plus .60 can deposit, a six pack of Kaiser rolls for $2.29, 3 Vidalia onions at .99 a pound for $2.18, a half gallon of Florida Natural orange juice $2, two large California cantaloupes for .99 each, sliced roast beef at $5.99 a pound for $6.18, 2 lime, 2 cheery 2 orange S&S gelatin for $2 all for $20.78 total. I then returned home. I had a cold A&W frosted root beer in a frosted mug. I relaxed a bit. I went outside briefly. I put the lamp shades on the butler lamps in the living room replacing the old shades I had on them, and I put the old shades in the false ceiling in the bedroom. I will now relax a bit and listen to http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/ram/live_news.ram . It is 86 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in my apartment. CIO

Note: <888> 06/11/02 Tuesday 11:40 A.M.: After cleaning up, I went out, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I sat out at various locations. I then drove down by the waterfront. I chatted with a fisherman who is a mechanic. He checked out the sound of my car and gave me a bit of information since he was familiar with the car. He told me the Bosch Platinum plugs are factory preset.  They came at .035” and I had reset them to .030”. He also suggested that using the Volvo tool one can reset the air fuel mixture on the fuel pump chamber, which is an Allen or “L” wrench type tool. He said possibly I should have that done and maybe the timing. I told him I wanted to wait until I had installed the new S hose I have ordered that is coming tomorrow.  I then went by the Hospital Thrift shop. I next returned a DVD disk and checked out another DVD disk from the library. I then returned home. I took out the Bosch Platinum spark plugs and I regapped them to .035” and then I reinstalled them. The car seemed to be running more smoothly. I then took out the PCV valve and cleaned more thoroughly the backfire break with carburetor cleaner. I also installed a hose clamp on a hose on top of the valve cover to make it tighter. I redirected the ignition wires over another vacuum hose to give more clearance above the valve cover. I tightened the clamp around the four ignition wires that keep them from touching the air manifold. I adjusted the idle air fuel mixture knob to slightly more richer. I noticed all the spark plugs seemed fine when I took them out except for the one closest to the passenger compartment which looked a bit fouled which it had before. I cleaned it before putting it in. I took the car for a short test drive, and it seemed to be running normally, and better than it has in a long time. Still, I have to take it for a longer test drive later. I then came upstairs, and I had a cold Diet Coke in a frosted mug. I relaxed a bit. It is nice and cool in the apartment. I will now have some cottage cheese and blueberries along with ice tea. I am not sure if I will go out again since it is quite hot out. I might just stay inside in the cool apartment and work on the computer. CIO

Note: <888> 06/11/02 Tuesday 6:30 A.M.: I was up at 8 P.M., and I went outside briefly. I then had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I then went outside briefly again. I then fell back to sleep until midnight. I went outside briefly. I then watched a DVD video disk until about 3 A.M.. I then went outside briefly. I then rested until 5 A.M.. I went outside briefly. I finished the rest of the herbal chicken and rice along with ice tea and a cappuccino. I then watched some morning television. The morning news said it is going to be up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit today, so I turned the air conditioner down to 68 degrees Fahrenheit to cool off the apartment while it is cool out. I guess I will go outside briefly. I then will clean up, and I will go downtown for a morning walk. Usually when I go outside briefly, I am sneaking a cigarette since I am trying to quit, I have not been smoking in the apartment. Hopefully once I put the new nicotine patch on this morning I will not have as much as an urge to smoke. They say you are suppose to relax when trying to quit smoking. CIO

Note: <888> 06/10/02 Monday 12:10 P.M.: I received in the mail from Bank of New York my Monsoon Speaker check which was returned because it was off of a Canadian Bank. I went out, and I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street, and they said they would send the check in for collection and return the $10 return fee, which should be done in a few days. I then went by the ELDC thrift shop, and I viewed the merchandise. I next returned home, and I chatted with a neighbor. I just talked with a relative. I will now go to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/10/02 Monday 10:25 A.M.: I went out.  The car seems to be running a lot better, but there is still the slight rumble from underneath that I hear at lower speeds and when shutting off the car. I drove downtown. I walked lower Greenwich Avenue. I stopped by St. Moritz bakery, and I bought a raspberry Danish for $1.25. I ate it in front of the Senior and Arts Center. I drove down by the waterfront. I noticed at the end of Steamboat Road there is a sign limiting parking to two hours.  Also there is no parking from 9 P.M. to 6 A.M.. Having observed the weather from Steamboat Road for 19 years and having lived there five years, I guess I am familiar with the location. I suppose the parking regulation depends on whether local law enforcement enforces it. I next went to the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop, and they gave me a black and a white milk crate. I then went by Exxon, and I bought $8.20 of premium at $1.779.  Since I tuned the car, locally it seems I have gone from getting 11 miles per gallon to 14.5 miles per gallon. Since I keep a lot of stuff in my trunk, I have a bit of weight in the trunk. Well, I then returned home, and I sorted out the items in two old cardboard boxes in my trunk, and I put them in the plastic milk crates, and I threw away the cardboard boxes. Just about the time I was about ready to go inside the building fire alarm went off, and the fire department arrived shortly there after. It was a false alarm.  Apparently some insects had gotten into the stairwell smoke detector.  I finally returned to my apartment. I just had some low fat cottage cheese with blue berries and ice tea. I guess I will relax a bit and go to bed.  However, first I will check the mail. CIO

Note: <888> 06/10/02 Monday 7:35 A.M.: I went out, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue, and I sat out at various locations. I drove down by the waterfront. I then returned home about 5 A.M., and I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I studied my Chilton’s Volvo manual. I went out about 6 A.M., and I studied the engine on the car. If I have a EGR valve, I can not find it. I did notice that the lower secondary wire on the ignition coil was loose. When I tried to tighten the connector it broke. I had another similar electrical connector, so I installed it on the wire, and reattached it back to the ignition coil. I adjusted the idle again increasing it slightly. I tried tightening the exhaust pipe bracket bolt some more, but I broke the head off the bolt, but it is still holding the pipe tighter in place. I also put a couple drops of oil in the center rotor of the distributor rotor. I just had an A&W root beer in a frost mug. I will now go out for a test drive. CIO

Note: <888> 06/10/02 Monday 3:05 A.M.: I watched the CNN program about hurricanes. I had some Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers with ice tea. I remember in the old days in Key West occasionally from 1976 to 1983, and I did not have much money for food, I use to survive off Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers which were freely available at many hotel bars for the grabbing. Well at 220 pounds, I am not starving, so I guess I suppose a little outside exercise will not hurt me. I use to say down in Key West living off sea biscuits or Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers were a way of proving that I was from Connecticut where they came from. I also knew quite a few people in the United States of America cheese business since my family had Midwestern connections with the American Dairy association.  Of course if I ever had to swim, I would sink like “Bubba the Beached Whale”. Since it is a nice night, I might go out again.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/10/02 Monday 1:35 A.M.: I went out, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I sat out at various locations. I drove down by the waterfront. I then returned home. I sat out briefly. I will now do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/09/02 Sunday 11:20 P.M.: I had my Brazilian instant coffee outside in my Starbucks travel mug. When I got back inside, CNN was showing a program about hurricane forecasting. They said it is an inexact science. They also said 83 million people live along the coast from Maine to Texas. Well, I guess it is that time of year to start tracking hurricane activity. I still have the tropical weather page posted at www.geocities.com/mikelscott/weather.htm for one to make their own best guess about tropical storm activity.  Although I live near Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, I am on relatively high ground compared to some of my neighbors.  I will now clean up and go out for some fresh air. CIO

Note: <888> 06/09/02 Sunday 10:30 P.M.: I received a telephone call from a relative about 9 A.M. this morning. I was up at 4 P.M.. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went outside a couple of times, and once I walked around the building. I went back to bed until 10 P.M.. I went outside briefly. I am now cooking herbal chicken cooked in wine along with steamed white rice and steamed frozen green peas, ice tea, and a Brazilian instant coffee.  I bake the herbal chicken by taking four small boneless chicken breasts and rubbing them in several tablespoons of olive oil in a Pyrex pie dish. I then added a half cup of Rene Junot white wine and seasoned the top of the breasts with celery salt, garlic powder, ground black pepper, oregano, Italian spices, Basil, and a pad of margarine on each breast. I cook them in the convection oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes since they are thinner than regular breasts which I do for 35 minutes. I will then clean up and go out for some fresh air.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/09/02 Sunday 3:00 A.M.: I finished my regular computer work. I stepped outside briefly. I will now watch some television before going to bed. I guess I will have some blueberries and low fat cottage cheese with ice tea also. CIO

Note: <888> 06/09/02 Sunday 1:50 A.M.: The Times of London http://www.timesonline.co.uk/ has started charging 40 Pounds a year for overseas subscription readers. However, the Court Circular at the moment still comes up, but the primary stories want one to pay 40 pounds for the privilege of reading the Times of London. CIO

Note: <888> 06/09/02 Sunday 1:25 A.M.: I cleaned my ears with the Debrox ear cleaning system. I opened a new bottle of Debrox. I put 20 drops in the right ear, and then I relaxed keeping my head tilted with the ear upwards for about ten minutes. I then used a rubber ear wash syringe, and I flushed the ear with medium hot water flushing out the loosened wax. Two big clumps of wax came out of the right ear. I did the same procedure twice on the left ear, and about four big clumps of wax came out. The second time was just to clear it up. In the old days before going to Nantucket after spending the winter on the beach in Florida where lots of salty fine sand would mix in with the ear wax, I would stop by the Boston Eye and Ear clinic attached to Massachusetts General Hospital and have them clean out my ears, so I would have clean ears for the summer. In the late 1970s they had an advanced machine that I believe would suck out the wax out of one’s ears. About five years ago when I had it done at the Greenwich Hospital, they were still using a metal water syringe. Well, I should be a little bit more sound aware with my ears cleaned out. I watched a bit of television. I had some gold fish crackers with ice tea. I went outside briefly. CIO

Note: <888> 06/08/02 Saturday 11:20 P.M.: I went back downtown. The Volvo is running better. It still has a slight rattle or muffled rumble sound. I also noticed a slightly higher pitched vibration sound occasionally from the exhaust system.  I was not able to tighten the exhaust pipe bracket bolt all the way, so maybe it makes a slight vibration. I could try putting some WD40 on it and try tightening it some more once it has seated in. Still for local driving the Volvo is just fine. There are a couple of emissions components that I have never serviced in the 70,000 miles I have owned the car in the last ten years. I guess I could study my Chilton Volvo manual about servicing them. Well still it runs fine for regular use.  Maybe the noise has always been there and possibly my hearing got better.  This reminds me that I have not cleaned out my ears with the Debrox ear wax removal system in about a year. Maybe I will do that now. I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I sat out at a couple of different locations. I drove down by the waterfront. I then returned home. I sat out briefly. CIO

Note: <888> 06/08/02 Saturday 8:15 P.M.: I was up at 2 P.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I checked outside, and I checked the mail.  About 6 P.M. I finished house cleaning and watering the plants. I then went outside, and I was able to get the stove bolt tightened from the exhaust body bracket to the front exhaust manifold pipe, so at least the system is more secure. I was not able to put on the washer and nut, but the bolt is plenty secure and won’t fall off. I then took out my fuel injection noozle plugs and I cleaned them with WD-40, and I reinstalled them.  I started the car, and it seems to run more smoothly. I opened up the air intake on the air valve on the combustion intake manifold a little bit. I have not test driven it yet. I just had a cold A&W root beer in a frosted mug. I took the other ¾ pound piece of pork tenderloin, and I put two tablespoon of olive oil in a Pyrex pie dish and rubbed the pork in it, and I seasoned both sides of the pork with garlic powder, celery salt, and ground black pepper. I am cooking it in the convection oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. I will have it with steamed corn on the cob and steamed frozen green peas, ice tea, and a Brazilian instant coffee. I will then clean up and go out for some fresh air. CIO

Note: <888> 06/08/02 Saturday 3:05 A.M.: After dinner, I went outside briefly. I then watched some television. I will now go to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/08/02 Saturday 12:30 A.M.: I went through www.geocities.com/mikelscott/scotwork.htm . I watched the BBC late evening news. I then watched some BBC comedy on Channel 21 PBS. I am cooking dinner now. I took half of the pork tenderloin about ¾ of a pound. I put three tablespoons of olive oil in a Pyrex pie dish. I put the half of pork tenderloin in, and I rubbed both sides with olive oil. I seasoned both sides with Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, celery salt, ground black pepper, oregano, Italian spices, Basil. I put in about a third of a cup of Rene Junot white wine. I minced two large gloves of garlic, and I spread it on top of the pork tenderloin. I am cooking it for 25 minutes in the convection over at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. I will have it with fresh steamed corn on the cob and steamed frozen green peas and a baked half onion in the pyrex dish and ice tea. CIO

Note: <888> 06/07/02 Friday 10:45 P.M.: I cleaned up, and I went out. The car is running more smoothly, but it still has the same rattle. I will try to put the exhaust bolt on tomorrow. I noticed it also makes a bit of extra noise when accelerating in first gear. My attitude is that it is still reliable local transportation, so I suppose I will see how it continues to run. Even though the clutch might be reasonable to fix if that were the problem which I don’t think it is, if one had to repair the gear box that would be additional cost. Well, I’ll see when I attach the exhaust bolt. I drove downtown, and I walked lower Greenwich Avenue. I then drove down by the waterfront. I went by the Stop and Shop, but they do not carry quarts of cottage cheese, and blueberries there are $3.50 a pint. I went across the street to the Food Emporium, and I bought two quarts of Master Choice low fat small curd cottage cheese for $2.79 a quart, two pints of blue berries for $1.50 a pint, and Gold’s hot horse radish for $1.50 for $10.08 total. I then returned home. I sat outside briefly, and one can hear a lot weekend traffic on the highway. I will now do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/07/02 Friday 7:15 P.M.: I had a call from a relative about 11:30 A.M.. I went out, and I checked the weather and the mail. I went back to bed until 2:30 P.M.. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins and supplements. I did not clean up, and I went out, and I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then drove over to International Car Parts at 134 Jefferson Street, Stamford, Ct. 06902 (203) 327-9022, and I bought a set of Bosch 09232 ignition wires for $38.19 and 3 feet of 3/8” fuel line for $2.55 plus $2.44 tax for $43.28 total. I then went over to Stamford Volvo parts, and I got exhaust x-muffler bracket flange screw for $2.84, washer $1.04, hexagon screw $2.43 plus I ordered the S hose for $12.01 plus $1.10 tax for $19.42 total.  The S hose will be in next Wednesday. I was told they will be getting the new 2003 Volvo XC90 SUV in about two months. They gave me a catalog. I then returned home. I put the 3/8” fuel hose in place of the 5/16” hose from the PCV valve to the air manifold. I installed the new ignition wires using the silicone lubricant that came with them grease the wire boots. I started up the Volvo, and it is running much better with only a slightly noticeable rattle occasionally. I topped up the oil with Pennzoil 10W 40. I adjusted the idle air intake. I put a hose clamp on the ignition wires with two of them insulated with pieces of hose, so they do not rest on the hot air manifold. I took the car for a test drive over to Smokes for Less in Byram, and it is running just fine. I am smoking a few cigarettes a day, so I bought buy three get two free of Marlboro Lights 100s for $15 total. I then returned home. I noticed in my Volvo records of the previous owner at 45,000 miles Stamford Volvo replaced the clutch and master brake cylinder for $630, so thus a clutch job would probably be about $500 if the car ever needed it.  One can take out the transmission and replace the clutch without removing the engine. I still have to install the exhaust nut and bolt, and possibly I might have Midas check the exhaust system for a possible rattle and have them do the bolt. I am going to have some cold herbal garlic boneless chicken breast with McHilney’s Tabasco sauce, along with steamed corn on the cob, small carrots, broccoli, ice tea, and a cappuccino.  I am making a batch of ice tea. I will then clean up and go out for some fresh air in about an hour and a half. CIO

End of Scott's Notes week 06/07/02:

Note: <888> 06/07/02 Friday 5:25 A.M.: I relaxed a bit. I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. I watched a bit of television. I got to thinking about the rattle on the Volvo. I reviewed my notes. The original rattle that I fixed on 05/16/02 was just the tail pipe was turned up a bit against the body frame, which I fixed by pushing it down a little. However on 05/23/02, I made a note about the rattling sound I had heard for a couple of days which would have started around 05/21/02. I have not had Midas check the exhaust system yet since then, since they were busy the one time I took it in. However, the sound does not seem to be from the exhaust system, and I have looked underneath a number of times to verify that. There is the possibility that vacuum irregularities could be causing problems with the timing at low idle speed.  Yesterday, I reconnected the S hose from the valve assembly attached to the valve cover which leads to the fuel injection system. This might have been one of the problems. However, on 05/30/02 I attached a new 5/16” diameter hose from the Volvo fuel injection baffle air chamber to the PCV valve. The hose I took off had perhaps a third larger interior opening, so perhaps I am getting less of a vacuum in the timing system. I guess I should try putting on a larger diameter hose on that particular junction. Moreover having sealed up two major vacuum leaks and having replaced the regular Bosch spark plugs with Bosch platinum spark plugs, possibly I have effected the over ignition timing of the car, and once I get the proper vacuum hoses and possibly replace the ignition wires, I should have the timing checked. This is still predicated that there is not some odd vibration coming from the exhaust system. Still on an older car, it could be any of a number of items. Still from my experience in owning the car for ten years, it usually has been some sort of simple item which is difficult to troubleshoot.  I took the car for a drive about 4 A.M. down by the waterfront. In gear driving there is no noise. I drove up the steep hill at Indian Field road, and the car performed smoothly. Thus when I am up today, I should get the larger vacuum hose for starters. If I have time, and I am up early enough I could try to go to Stamford Volvo and order a new S hose, unless Gateway auto parts has a hose is that diameter that one can shape in an S and not kink. Well, I still have reliable transportation. The S hose seems to be staying in place. I am a bit tired, so I will send out my weekly note and go to bed. CIO 

Note: <888> 06/07/02 Friday 12:50 A.M.: I zipped through my email deleting most of it quickly. Some times one gets tired of reading tech newsletters. I did notice http://chef2chef.net/ . I will now have some low fat cottage cheese with fresh blue berries and some ice tea. I will shut down and relax for a while before going to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 11:45 P.M.: I looked at some car prices for used car prices at www.kbb.com and one can find a number of cars listed such as Subaru, Geo, Hyundai, Susuki for about $2,500 with 50,000 miles about year 1995. Of course one would have to find one for sale. A 1995 Buick Century with 50,000 miles would be about $4,000 private party trade. Of course, one would have to know where to look for such car, and they might be more difficult to find in this area. I noticed a 85 Volvo with 50,000 miles is worth about $2,400. I went out to my car and got the registration, and I checked my Vin Number at www.carfax.com , but alas they do not list 1976 cars. I put the registration back in the car. It is still raining outside. Basically for now, my 1976 Volvo 244 DL is running just fine for my regular use.  When I have the time, I should probably go over to Stamford Volvo and check on the metric bolt for the exhaust manifold pipe where it attaches to the body. I also should check on the S hose that comes off the valve assembly chamber on the valve cover and attaches to the fuel injection combustion chamber. I should also check on the ignition wires.  Well, there are not many inexpensive places to drive to in this area anyway, so I mostly stay locally in my less expensive routine.  Of course we do have some public transportation in this part of town http://www.cttransit.com/content/routesStamford.asp . I printed out 10 copies of the weekday and weekend bus schedule. I put 3 on the brass coffee table on my bedroom desk. I put one on the mail room bulletin board and one on the laundry room bulletin board, and I put 5 copies on the laundry room cabinet. CIO

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 9:25 P.M.: I had herbal garlic chicken for dinner along with a baked half of onion, steamed small carrots, corn on the cob, asparagus, ice tea, and a cappuccino. I cooked a second boneless chicken breast which I refrigerated. I chatted with a friend with Net2Phone. I checked the weather, and it is raining quite a bit outside.

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 6:20 P.M.: I was up at 1 P.M.. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I cleaned up. I made my 3 P.M. appointment. I then stopped by the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop. I then went by Gateway Auto Supply. I bought a quart of Pennzoil 10-40 W oil for $2.10, Pennzoil Gumout KTRA concentrated fuel injector cleaner $3.99, two ¾ “ hose clamps for .65 each, two 1.5” hose clamps .70 each, one 2” hose clamps .80 each, two 2.5” hose clamps .80 each, and two .5” hose clamps .60 each for $12.39 total. I then drove over to Grass Island. I attached one of the ¾” hose clamps where I took it off yesterday. I noticed that the S hose that I fixed yesterday had slipped off. I put it back on and I retightened the hose clamp, but tried not to tighten it too tight, so it will not slip off. I guess I need to replace the S hose when I have a chance to go to Stamford Volvo.  When I returned home, the S hose had stayed on. I then drove by another location on the waterfront, and I chatted with a local fisherman. I then went by Exxon, and I put the Pennzoil Gumout KTRA concentrated fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank, and I filled the Volvo up with $2.50 of premium gasoline at $1.779 a gallon. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I read the local paper. I then went by the Food Emporium, and I bought boneless breasts of chicken at $1.99 a pound for $4.58 total. I then returned home. CIO

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 3:50 A.M.: Last Saturday, I did not make it up to West Point to see the graduating class and the President and the other dignitaries which I occasionally do. It apparently was a sunny day. I just listened to the President’s speech at West Point which is posted at www.whitehouse.gov . Still when one has the time, it is a short trip from this area over to West Point. I did not go either for the 200^th anniversary celebration since it was a cold damp February day which would have been hard on my arthritis. When I was younger around 1964, I first visited West Point with some friends for a football game. Afterwards we were invited aboard the Forbes Yacht “The Highlander”, and I signed my name in the guest book along with a great many other interesting names. Over the years I have visited West Point a number of times, and I have been frustrated that as a civilian I can not use the library. Still it is an interesting historical attraction. I was told by my grandmother Scott that I am related to Winfield Scott. Alas my grandfather Scott was a railroad engineer and not in the military. My father was a chemical engineer and not in the military. I guess myself, I am now a computer engineer, and as far as I know I am still not in the military, although I have lived around military facilities. So unless I signed up, and I forgot, I do not think I am in the military. Still it is interesting to have the family heritage. I believe the Winfield Scott townhouse on west 13^th street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York is across from the Forbes building, and it is now the Italian studies center for New York University. Still it is amusing that with such a large clan in the Scott family, one never hears from other relatives. I remember looking once at the memorial plaque I believe for the class of 1944 that there were two officers with the last name Scott killed during the last year of World War II. However, there was another Scott named Jim Scott that survived the war and made the most relief missions flying to Berlin after the war, and was killed in the effort. Also there were several Scotts killed at Pearl Harbor. Thus the family over the years has taken its share of causalities in defending the United States of America’s freedom. I believe there is a small street in Washington D.C.’s section of Georgetown named Scott street as well as Scott circle with the statue of Fuss and Feathers Winfield Scott. Well, I suppose since my branch of the Scott family was out in Illinois for a number of generations it is hard to tell how we are really related. However my father looked a bit like Winfield Scott, and as I get older, I have a bit of the same appearance. Well not to dwell on history, but today is the anniversary of D Day, so I imagine a great many old timers will be remember that period not so long ago.  I had some gold fish crackers and Carr’s crackers with Land O Lakes cheddar cheese along with ice tea. I will now shut down for the night and go to bed. I have a 3 P.M. appointment today. CIO

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 1:45 A.M.: I went out, and I mailed the letter at the central Greenwich Post Office. There is quite a bit of lightning but no rain yet. I drove down by the waterfront. I then returned home. I had the rest of the pineapple mixture on low fat cottage cheese along with some of the blue berries along with ice tea. I will now do some more regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/06/02 Thursday 1:00 A.M.: I watched a bit of television. I sat outside briefly. I wrote a letter to a relative. I will now go out and mail the letter at the central Greenwich Post office. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 10:35 P.M.: I went out. The car is running smoother, but it still has the slight rattle from underneath the car. Well anyway it runs fine enough, and I do not feel like spending any more money on it. I went to the Greenwich Library, and I read the local paper and P.C. magazine. P.C. magazine had an article saying that cars after 1995 have computer diagnosis. I then stopped by CVS on Greenwich Avenue, and I bought another box of 14 patches of Step 1 21 mg. patches on sale for $34.99. I then drove down the Avenue. I walked the entire Avenue. I chatted with a local. I stopped by the ATM machine at Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Greenwich Avenue. I also stopped by CVS again, and I bought a box of 14 patches of the Step 2, 14 mg. for $34.99 on sale. They did not have Step 3, 7 mg. patches in a 14 patch box on sale.  After walking the Avenue, I drove down by the waterfront. I then drove over to CVS in Riverside, and they did not have a Step 3, 14 patch box. I then returned to central Greenwich, and I went to the Exxon station, and I bought $7.75 of premium at $1.779 a gallon. I then went to the Food Emporium, and I bought a 38 ounce box of goldfish crackers for $5.29, two half gallons of Florida Natural orange juice with calcium for $2.50 each half gallon, a pint of blueberries $1.50, and two boxes of frozen peas and one of frozen cut green beans for $2 all for $13.77 total. I then returned home. I read my owner’s manual in the car about some details.  I am about to have a Swanson’s hungryman boneless pork dinner with ice tea and a 50% Brazilian instant coffee and 50% Folgers’s decaffeinated instant coffee. I will then do some regular computer work. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 6:55 P.M.: I listened to some of the NASA TV broadcast www.geocities.com/mikelscott/nasa.htm about the Shuttle launch http://www.geocities.com/mikelscott/nasa-111.htm . I cleaned up. I will now go out for some fresh air. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 6:05 P.M.: There was intense lightning about 7 A.M. this morning, so I unplugged the computer and disconnected the cable modem. I was up at 4 P.M.. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I went outside, and I checked the exhaust manifold bolt area, but I would need a metric bolt from Volvo to hopefully try to install it in its particular location. From what I can tell it was not rattling there anyway. I then decided to uninstall the Bosch Platinum Spark plugs and put in the old regular ones to see if it made a difference. The Volvo still had the same muffled rattle sound inside, so I reinstalled the Bosch Platinum 4216 plugs. However, while working on the car, I noticed there was an ¾ “ diameter S shaped hose about 15 inches long that connected from a valve attached to the valve cover to the fuel injection chamber. I noticed the hose at the valve attached to the valve cover was split, so it was not a sealed hose line. It probably became split when they replaced the valve cover gasket a month ago at Midas. I took off another ¾” hose clamp from another hose that was tight, and I put it on the split at the valve on the S hose to tighten and seal it off. When I started the car, it seemed to be running normally and smoother. I open up the air intake valve next to the throttle assembly since the mixture seemed a bit rich. I did not test drive the car, but it seems to be idling a lot smoother. I am having a cold A&W root beer with in a frosted mug. I tried calling a relative to wish them Happy Birthday. Since it is warm outside, I am just relaxing by the air conditioner. I will clean up shortly, but I might go out a little bit later when it is less hot. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 3:55 A.M.: I did a little bit of routine computer work. I sat outside for a while. I will now shut down and go to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 2:15 A.M.: I had a cup of the low fat cottage cheese with about a quarter cup of the fresh pineapple chunks and juice.  Earlier in the evening, I also put $10 more on the laundry card. CIO

Note: <888> 06/05/02 Wednesday 1:40 A.M.: I went out after the last message. I drove downtown, and I drove by the waterfront. Unfortunately the Volvo still seems to have the same rattle at low speed idle, although it runs fine at higher speeds. I circled around through town, and I stopped by the ATM machine at Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by the Food Emporium, and I bought a 32 ounce container of Master Choice cottage cheese for $3.49 and a 12.3 ounce jar of Temeraire Old Fashioned Dijon Mustard for $2.91 for $6.40 total. I then returned home. I checked the internet for any information on what might be causing the rattle in my car.  According to Bosch’s web site, I am using the right Platinum spark plugs. I did not find any relevant information. From my Chilton’s Volvo manual, I learned to test the clutch by putting it fourth gear with the brakes on and letting out the clutch which stalled the car which indicated the clutch is all right. All I can think of is returning to square one, and trying to use the nut and bolt and lock washer to attach the manifold exhaust pipe to the body hanger which was not done last August. Still from my investigation it does not seem like the exhaust system is causing the problem. Before I got the 1976 Volvo 244 DL ten years ago, I had a problem with the 1984 Ford Escort I had. I took it to a transmission place in Stamford, and they rebuilt the transmission only to find out the problem was either a fouled spark plug or bad spark plug wire. I could try to buy a new set of spark plug wires for about $55 AutoZone.com | Shopping Bosch Spark Plug Wires . I looked in my notes, and the last time I replaced the ignition wires was in August 1997 at about 95,000 miles for about 23,000 miles ago. Still, since I am on limited income with a less expensive car, I have not done much of the routine Volvo maintenance that the car might require, so possibly it is caused by some other mechanical difficulty. Thus the game plan tomorrow weather permitting to try to put in the nut and bolt and lock washer on the exhaust manifold pipe to the body frame point where it is suppose to be attached. Then I will think about the ignition wires. I also stopped by Shell Oil on West Putnam Avenue this past evening, and I checked all of my tires for 30 PSI. None of them had changed pressure in the last month since I last checked them. CIO

Note: <888> 06/04/02 Tuesday 10:20 P.M.: The Swanson’s hearty Mexican fiesta meal was very good. After my coffee, I think I will go for a drive downtown. CIO

Note: <888> 06/04/02 Tuesday 9:45 P.M.: I watched some television, and I went to bed about 4 A.M. after having some Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers and ice tea. I was up at noon. I had oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements for breakfast. I chatted with some neighbors outside. I cleaned up. I called Exxon about 2:30 P.M., and they said my car was ready and it was $54.21. I walked downtown to Exxon. I noticed that there are now buses running both ways on West Putnam Avenue. I picked the Volvo up at Exxon. It was $19.75 for a gear box oil change, $19.75 for rear end oil change; the clutch clearance is O.K., $4.88 for 1.5 quart of Dextron  and $6.75 for 1.5 quart of 80/90 gear oil for $11.63 parts and $39.50 labor plus $3.08 tax for $54.21 total.  They told me I had a slight leak in one of my differential oil seals.  When I started the car, I noticed it still had the rattle or rough sound. I drove over to the Hospital Thrift Shop, and I toured the store. I then drove back to Exxon, and I asked them about the rattle or rough sound, but they did not know anything. I then drove down Greenwich Avenue, and I went to Gateway automotive, and I bought a 1.5 inch hose clamp for .70. I then drove over to Grass Island, and I installed the hose clamp on the larger hose leading off the valve cover , so it has a complete vacuum. I checked the car for the rattle or rough sound, and I could not figure it. I then drove by the waterfront, and I chatted with a local until 5 P.M.. I then drove downtown, and I walked the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I stopped by CVS, and I bought a 24 pack of Charmin quilted toilet tissue for $4.99 plus .30 tax for $5.29. I then completed my walk of Greenwich Avenue after putting the toilet tissue in the car. I then drove by the Greenwich Library, and I read the local paper, and I checked out a DVD video disk. I then went to Stop and Shop, and I bought a 12 pack of A&W root beer for $3.79 plus .60 deposit on cans, a Red Barron 4 cheese pizza $3.50, four Swanson’s hungry man dinners for $2.50 each, turkey, pork rib, hearty Mexican, and veal parmesan; Lysol disinfectant spray $2.99, X14 Clorox toilet bowl cleaner .99, two pounds of onions $1.29, a bulb of garlic .45, two dozen large eggs for .84 a dozen, a Hormel pork tenderloin at $2.99 a pound for $4.54, and two ears of sweet corn .67 both. I then returned home. I cut off the $1 off coupon off the A&W root beer, and I put the cans in the refrigerator. I put the X14 toilet cleaner tab in the toilet. I then went out, and I checked my car. I increased the idle, and it still made a rattle or rough sound. I finally took out the new Bosch platinum spark plugs I installed a couple of weeks ago, and I checked them. They were slightly oil fouled. I checked the gap, and they were about .035 inch gap which was the Bosch preset. I checked my mechanics manual, and the gap for my Volvo for Bosch spark plugs is suppose to be .030 inch. I believe inch not millimeter. I took out all four Bosch Platinum spark plugs and regapped them to .030 inch, and I reinstalled them. The 1976 Volvo 244 DL is running much smoother and it seems to back to its normal running condition. I took it for a short test drive, and I am pleased with the present performance. I will leave the idle up at its present setting for now. Thus a combination of increased idle and changing the spark plug gap seems to have eliminated the rough idle sound of the car. I finished this all about 9 P.M.. I will now have a Stouffer’s hearty Mexican meal along with ice tea and a 50% Folgers Decafinated coffee and 50% Brazilian instant coffee.  I had a cold Barq’s root beer in a frosted mug earlier. CIO

Note: <888> 06/04/02 Tuesday 1:10 A.M.: I watched some television. I worked on some email. I sat outside briefly. I printed out a birthday card and custom envelop with Microsoft Home Publishing 2000, and I mailed it in the letter drop downstairs. I ran the print head clean utility on my Epson Stylus  Color 880 printer 3 times. I have not used it in a while.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/03/02 Monday 9:35 P.M.: I had a Tony’s pepperoni pizza along with ice tea for dinner. I downloaded and installed three free games for Real Arcade.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/03/02 Monday 7:00 P.M.: I was up at noon today. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. I cleaned up. I checked my mail. I went downtown, and I stopped by Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then by First Union Bank of Connecticut on Havemeyer Place, and I paid my rent. I then went by the central Greenwich Post Office, and I obtained money orders to pay my GEICO automobile insurance, AT&T, Verizon, Cablevision, and Optimum online bills for .90 a money order plus amount of the money order. I also obtained ten .03 stamps for .30 since I have ten .34 stamps which I might not use before the postage rate goes up .03 at the end of June from .34 to .37 .  I then sat out downtown for a while. I next drove over to the Greenwich Hospital Thrift shop, and I bought for $8 a pair of Dutch Delph blue Bermuda shorts from Triminghams in Bermuda waist 41 inches. I then went by the Greenwich Library, and I returned a DVD video disk. I then made my 4 P.M. appointment. I next went by the ATM machine at Putnam Trust Bank of New York on Mason Street. I then went by Greenwich Exxon next to the Greenwich Library, and I left my 1976 Volvo 244 DL to have the transmission gear box oil changed, the rear end axle oil changed, and the clutch adjusted. I also asked them to check on the transmission rattling sound which changing and filling up the gear box oil hopefully will fix. I told them I would call them tomorrow afternoon about the car. I then walked home which was an enjoyable walk looking at all the more deluxe cars along the route. I chatted with a neighbor. I tried calling a relative whom I will try calling again shortly. Well, I guess I am in for the evening. CIO

Note: <888> 06/03/02 Monday 2:30 A.M.: I watched a bit of television. I had two sliced boneless breast of chicken sandwiches on Kaiser rolls with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, horseradish, McHilney’s Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper, a dill pickle, and ice tea. I prepared my bills to pay today. I gathered together other paper work for my 4 P.M. meeting today. I will now shut down and try to rest to get on an earlier schedule. CIO

Note: <888> 06/02/02 Sunday 11:15 P.M.: I had a dozen Carr’s crackers with moserella cheese, some Lays K.C. Masterpiece barbeque potato chips, some of the pineapple mixture, and ice tea. I will now sift through my email. CIO

Note: <888> 06/02/02 Sunday 10:35 P.M.: I watched a bit of television, and I went to bed about 4 A.M. this past morning.  I watched a bit of television about 7 A.M.. I had some goldfish crackers and ice tea. A relative called about 9 A.M.. I went back to bed. A friend showed up about 1:30 P.M.. We chatted. I had breakfast of oatmeal, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins, and supplements. My guest left about 3:30 P.M.. I went back to bed until about 6 P.M.. I watched the BBC news. I had a Marie Callender beef tips dinner with ice tea and a Brazilian instant coffee. I then cleaned up, and I went for a walk of the entire length of Greenwich Avenue from 8 P.M. to 9 P.M..  I then returned home. I chatted with a friend with Net2Phone. I will now do some regular computer work. I will try to go to bed earlier this morning, so I can get up tomorrow early enough to pay bills. I have a 4 P.M. appointment tomorrow afternoon. CIO

Note: <888> 06/02/02 Sunday 1:45 A.M.:  I watched a bit of television, a most enjoyable show.  Yesterday, I also received the $30 mailin rebate from Monsoon for the computer speakers I bought about two months ago. I will now shut down, and I will relax before going to bed. CIO

Note: <888> 06/02/02 Sunday 12:20 A.M.: I had a call from a relative yesterday morning. A friend stopped by at about 1:30 P.M.. I chatted with a relative. I had breakfast of three medium boiled eggs, toast, orange juice, coffee, vitamins and supplements.  I cleaned up, and we went out. I drove downtown and drove by the waterfront. I saw all the old cars around Baldwin Park. I drove over to Oil Star in Riverside, but they do not service gear box oil. I then drove over to Staples in Old Greenwich, but they did not have anything on sale. I then drove back to Greenwich Avenue, and I went to CVS, and I bought a 12 pack of Diet Coke and a 12 pack of Sprite for $2.25 each 12 pack plus $1.20 can deposit, and a roll of Johnson and Johnson one inch by five yard waterproof First Aid tape for $2.99 plus .45 tax for $9.14 total. I will use the Johnson and Johnson First Aid waterproof tape to keep the nicotine patches from falling off my body particularly when I am asleep.  We then drove back down by the waterfront. We sat out for a while, and we walked around a bit. Next we went by Exxon, and I bought $10.50 of premium gasoline at $1.779  a gallon.  My guest went by the Stop and Shop and bought four ears of corn on the cob, a bag of small carrots, and broccoli florets for about $3. We then returned back to my apartment. I had a cold Barq’s root beer in a frosted mug. We watched a bit of television. For dinner, we had the same herbal garlic boneless chicken breasts as last night along with steamed corn on the cob, broccoli florets, small carrots, and ice tea. I also had a cappuccino. From 8 P.M. to 10 P.M. on Channel 13 PBS we watched Queen Elizabeth II’s BBC broadcast of her 50 anniversary jubilee prom musical garden party which was very enjoyable.  Afterwards my guest left.  I then went for a walk of the entire length of Greenwich Avenue. I noticed they now have the cupola back on top of the senior and arts center with a flag pole and United States of America flag lit up flying.  I then returned home. I chatted briefly with a friend. CIO

Note: <888> 06/01/02 Saturday 3:50 A.M.: After dinner, I watched a bit of television. I will now head off to bed.  CIO

Note: <888> 06/01/02 Saturday 2:40 A.M.: I watched a bit of television. I had some Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers with some ice tea. I just opened the package of boneless breasts of chicken I bought last night. I split each of the two pairs of breast and rinsed them and dried them. I put one pair in the refrigerator for another time. I then took a Pyrex pie dish, and I added a few tablespoons of olive oil to the Pyrex dish, and I rubbed the two halves of boneless breast of chicken in the oil. I then on the under side, I put garlic powder, ground black pepper, celery salt, poultry and meat seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, Italian spices, Basil, and Oregano. I then flipped the two pieces, and I added about ¾ of a cup of Rene Junot white wine to the dish with the chicken breast. I then added the same spices on the top side of the chicken. I also added four peeled and chopped cloves of garlic to both pieces or two chopped cloves for each piece of chicken. I am now cooking them in the convection oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. I will have one of the pieces with steamed sliced fresh asparagus and ice tea. I will save the other piece for another meal. CIO